Credit: Matthew West

Shortstop Xander Bogaerts stretches out for a throw at second base during a spring training workout with the Red Sox.

FORT MYERS -- Never mind the lopsided outcome, or the fact that the Red Sox put the game out of reach in only the third inning. John Farrell rather enjoyed watching Thursday's 11-1 rout of Boston College.

"It was a little glimpse of the future somewhat," Farrell said.

There was top prospect Xander Bogaerts, the 20-year-old shortstop who was getting his first action at third base in preparation for taking up the unfamiliar position for Team Netherlands in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Bogaerts finished 1-for-4 with a double and fielded two plays cleanly at third, where he says he's still getting used to the quicker reaction time and using one hand to field balls. He will play third base again in Saturday's Grapefruit League opener against the Tampa Bay Rays before jetting off on a 16-hour flight to Taiwan, via New York.

"It’s just for the meantime, for the WBC," Bogaerts said. "Then I’ll be back at short."

Said Farrell, "Exciting young player. I thought he played easily at third. But regardless of whether he's standing at third or short, he's a presence in the box. Hard contact."

And then, there was Jackie Bradley Jr., the smooth center fielder who ripped an RBI double that one-hopped the wall in right-center field. But the moment that caught Farrell's eye came when Bradley hustled all the way to second base on a popup along the third-base line that was dropped by BC catcher Matt Pare and ultimately ruled a foul ball, even though it may have been fair.

"He ends standing on second base, not taking anything for granted," Farrell said. "It's exciting to see that kind of polish to a young player. We were able to quickly see what everybody's raved about."

Bogaerts and Bradley are ticketed for the minor leagues. But it may not be long -- perhaps even by next year -- that they will be joined in the Red Sox' lineup. They've become well-acquainted over the past month, first participating in the Red Sox' rookie development program last month in Boston and now sitting side-by-side at lockers in the back corner of the spring training clubhouse.

Bradley has some advice for pitchers who will face Bogaerts.

"Throw him fastballs," Bradley said with a smile. "He likes fastballs."

Sixteen-hour flights are another story.

"I’ll probably ask the Red Sox for a sleeping pill or something. That’s tough," he said. "The Red Sox are my first priority. They gave me the opportunity to go play (in the WBC), and I’m thankful for that. I’ll be back, though."